More than 700 cricketers from all over the world are expected to flock to the town for the week-long Festival scheduled for August 8-15, which could bring economic benefits of more than £1million to the region.

Teams of players aged 40 and over from Austalia, New Zealand, South Africa and the West Indies will play against English combinations although it is hoped cricketers from France, Holland and Spain will also join in for the first time.

Nidderdale League President Sir Thomas Ingilby will be the Festival Chairman for the bi-ennial event that arrives in England for a third time, having previously been held in Brighton in 1986 and Birmingham in 1994.

Sir Thomas and the League are now busily preparing a fantastic welcome for their guests, including a party at Masham’s Theakston’s Brewery, a picnic at Ripley Castle and a gala dinner.

The Golden Oldies World Secretariat confirmed they were delighted to stage the 2010 Festival in such a beautiful and historic cricket region.

“Golden Oldies sport is about fun, friendship and fraternity. A key in staging our Festivals is a location that can achieve these things,” said the Secretariat’s Paul Tibbutt.

“The Golden Oldies will get to play in some beautiful, historic villages scattered around the Yorkshire Dales. Virtually every village boasts a stunning cricket ground.”